Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-09-29

time Chr1StS home. A centurion III the RO-
man army corresponded to captain in ours.
His command was 100 men.
VS.. 60. The disease-Palsy is a disease
which consists of loss of power over the mus
cles, and may be either complete, leaving the
body helpless, or partial, leaving the muscles
active but uncomfortable There are some
reasons for believing this case was of the
latter kind, and probably what is now known
as st. Vitus' dance. If so, then the "griev-
ously tormentedn will be appreciated by
every one that has seen case of this disease.
Chrisr's reply ". y was quick answer to
the centurion's petition for help, and full
justification of the faith that led him to seek
Christ's aid V. s shows the conception the
centurion had of Christ's power over disease
This case of the centurion was among the
very earliest of Christ's manifestations of his
power to do signs at distance. The centu-
rion's faith was shown in saying that the Sa-
viour's coming was not needed.
VS. 10, IL. The Gentiles-No doubt this
centurion was a a-Gentile, and this is the first
manifestation of the Gentle faith that was to
be so largely called forth after the day of
Pentecost. V. IL has been abundantly full
filed as a prophecy in the history of the
church.
The expression shall sit down with Abra-
ham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom
of heaven" is the Oriental method of express
ing a thorough home welcome. The whole
transaction becomes type of the future
spread of his gospel among the Gentiles, and
this centurion is the first fruit of that ingath-
ering which has been accomplished in the
Gentle world.
IN H. oI& IS
rejection is set forth in v. II. The Gentiles
Of the east and west are set in contrast with
the children of the kingdom, and the race is
represented by one or the other of these. So
also is each individual person. Those who
will not accept Christ are to be cast out into
the outer darkness. Oriental feasts were at
night, with the house brilliantly lighted The
outer darkness is the exclusion from that
light and plenty and comfort which reign
within.
The Saviour now put the centurion's faith
and the faith of the people to another test.
He said, $50 thy way; and as thou hast be-
ieved, SO be it unto thee The conduct of
each one was now to show how far he be-
ieved in the Savouris word. If the CEN
!urion's faith was as strong as he said, he
would go home confident of the result.
Note l. Military officers are generally sup
posed to be a heartless class. Here is one
who had a tender regard for those under him.
If employers and people of influence would
have similar care for those within their
power, the relations of affection would be as
close as they are here.
2. Many pupils to whom this lesson will be
taught, who have had Christian training
from their youth, will illustrate v. IL to their
sternal disgrace and pain. And many chill
iren of heathen and vicious parents, to whom
this lesson will be taught in our mission
schools in this and other lands, will illustrate
v. II to their everlasting honor and Joy.
SUGGESTIVE APPLICATIONS.
v 8. am not worthy that thou shouldest
some under my roof-People of authority
and of wealth in these days approach the
church, if they approach it at all, as if their
presence was favor. They seem to have a
lurking idea that they are to be praised by a
minister for condescending to attend when he
breaches. Whether they actually go so far
in thought as to suppose that they are con-
ferring favor upon the Almighty by using
part of the Sabbath in riding to church,
and tanning themselves with an Indifferent
attention upon all the services, may be a
question they would not like to answer to
themselves. It becomes kind Of constitu-
honal habit with them to patronize every
thing. They have patronizing air toward
all who are socially on a different level from
themselves, and they carry this same sir into
religion and church work. The centurion,
though man of position and a representa-
live of Roman authority, not only possessed
more sense but more humility. He recog-
nized the great favor he was seeking; he also
had some proper appreciation Of the dignity
and the power of the person from whom he
asked so great favor. He did not belittle
himself, but rather showed true greatness in
his humility. There is a useful lesson here
for all.
V. Is. As thou hast believed, so be it done
unto thee-If the prayers of ordinary Chris
tians were answered in this way now, about
how many do you think would receive what
they ask for? About how large proportion
of those who profess regularly and daily to
ask blessings of the Lord really and truly
have faith to believe that they will receive
exactly what they ask fori If the answer in
every case were to be, According to thy
faithn so be it done unto thee, how much
would they really getl Now, the fact is that
the answer which Jesus made on earth to the
centurion is but an indication Of the answer
which he usually makes to all who seek him.
The Christian gets not what he asks for, but
according to the faith with which he asks.
HINTS FOR PRIMARY CLASSES.
The place-Capernaum, at the northwest
ern end of the sea of Galilee, where Jesus
often went. His second miracle was per-
formed on the son of nobleman who lived
in Capernaum 1t was a military post and
the home of Simon Peter, where Jesus cured
Peters wife 1t was the home or headquar-
ters to which Jesus often returned
The persons-The centurion or captain Of
one hundred men, Roman military officer;
his servant, who was i'll; and Jesus Christ,
the great Physician.
The story-The fame of Jesus had become
so great that many people focked to hear
him and to be healed of various diseases
whenever he entered a city. Soon after
coming to Capernaum this time, the Roman
officer came to him to beg that he would heal
his servant, who was very i'll. Servants were
often a part of the family in those days, and
much beloved when found faithful They
remained a lifetime with the same family,
so that their interests were identical This
officer came himself to see Jesus, instead OF
sending a messenger, which shows how great
his personal interest was in him
Although this officer held apoSition OF rank
and authority, he was very humble when
speaking to Jesus. He must have known that
Jesus was his Lord and no common physician.
He meant, As give orders to my men to do
one thing and another and they obey me, sol
know a word from you can in the same way
command disease He had probably heard
how the nobleman's son was cured when Jesus
was in Cana, and Of other wonderful cures.
He said, Speak the word only, and my
servant shall be healed" Jesus was surprised
at his strong faith, and said, al have not
found so great faith, no, not in Israel" None
of the people of God had shown such conf.
dence and belief in him as this Roman officer
did
Jesus Christ Is always pleased with real
trust and faith in him. Every one likes to be
trusted, especially when doing good to others.
The good news-V. II contains precious
promise for the people Of all larsls, that many
shall come from the east and west and shall
sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob
In the kingdom of heaven; but alas, the next
verse tells us that the children of the king
dom shall be cast out It is not enough to
belong to pious family or even to belong to
the church; not enough to attend Sunday
school and religious services. There must be